(19)
(11) EP 1 074 940 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
30.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/05

(43) Date of publication A2:
07.02.2001 Bulletin 2001/06

(21) Application number: 00306356.7

(22) Date of filing: 26.07.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7G06T 7/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 05.08.1999 JP 22243099
21.04.2000 JP 2000120789

(71) Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Kadoma-shi, Osaka-fu (JP)

(72) Inventors:
  • Kitajima, Shoko
    Fukuoka-shi (JP)
  • Shirouzu, Hiroshi
    Fukuoka-shi (JP)
  • Yahiro, Kanji
    Onojo-shi (JP)
  • Yamaguchi, Koji
    Kasuga-shi (JP)

(74) Representative: Jackson, Richard Eric 
Carpmaels & Ransford, 43 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) Image analyzing apparatus and image analyzing method


(57) There are provided an image analyzing apparatus and an image analyzing method where, in analyzing a microscopic image of a microbe or a cell tissue, the manpower-independent observation and quantification are executed so as to enhance the analyzing performance. The configuration of the apparatus and the method is as follows: A frequency conversion processing (103; 23), such as Wavelet transformation, is executed toward the microscopic image of the microbe or the cell tissue and, based on the result obtained, the quantitative analysis (104; 27) is executed. The configuration allows the automatic quantitative judgement to be executed concerning factors such as the position, the number, the magnitude, the degree of activity, the area ratio, the configuration, the direction, and the color. This condition makes it possible to reduce a burden imposed on a person who are in charge of the observation. Also, the noise can be eliminated, which also enhances the analyzing performance. Moreover, the converted regions are utilized for the analysis. This condition makes it possible to execute the analysis with the amount of calculation that is smaller than the resolution, thereby allowing the high-speed processing to be implemented.





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